A notable moment was the welcome given to the North Korean caravan despite longstanding tensions between the North Korean government and the host of the 2014 games.

South Korea is hosting the games for the third time, having welcomed them in 1986 and 2002.

China holds the all-time record for the most gold medals in one year, having earned 61 gold medals at the New Delhi games in 1982.

Iran hosted the games in 1974 and, with 400 athletes, it managed to win 36 gold medals, 28 silver and 17 bronze, finishing second behind Japan.

The first Asian Games opened in New Delhi in 1951, when 11 countries sent 489 athletes to compete in six disciplines.
The seventeenth Asian Games in Incheon will continue through to October 4 with a total of 439 medals to be won by the participating athletes.